K-6 ELA Resources & Update
December 2015
Figure 19E
After analyzing our prior STAAR scores and our most recent 3-6 grade CBAs, I noticed that our Figure 19E scores are lower than we would want them to be. Figure 19E is part of the dreaded Figure 19 reading process standards set by TEA.
I know we all teach summarization, but for some reason our students have a hard time in this area. I am sure there are lots of reasons for this, but what can we do as K-6 ELA teachers to better support our students with their retell/summarization/paraphrasing skills?
The district has supplied each grade level (K-6) with The Reading Strategies Book by Jennifer Serravallo. I would recommend you use some of her lessons to revisit summarization. I have listed a few of them for you below with the page number. Below this list is a list of different websites that you might want to take some time to browse.
The Reading Strategies Book--lessons about summarization/retelling/paraphrasing:
5.3 Summarizing What's Most Essential pg. 136
5.4 Uh-oh...Phew pg. 137
5.5 Is This a Multi-Story Book or a Single-Story Book pg. 138
5.12 Angled Summaries for Highlighting Deeper Ideas in Plot pg. 145
5.13 Summarize Based on What a Character Wants pg. 146
5.15 Where Am I? pg. 148
5.16 Summarizing with "Somebody...Wanted...But...So..." pg. 149
8.7 Paraphrase Chunks, Then Put it Together pg. 228
8.8 Sketch in Chunks pg. 229
8.9 Most Important...to Whom? pg. 230
8.11 Add Up Facts to Determine Main Idea pg. 232
8.14 Time =Parts pg. 235
8.18 Shrink-a-Text with a Partner pg. 239
9.8 Read, Cover, Remember, Retell pg. 257
9.19 Event Connection pg. 268
10.4 Caption It! pg. 277
Resources:
- http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=465218
- http://www.ecisd.us/Portals/Edinburg/District/docs/Language%20Arts/Region%20One%20Figure%2019.pdf
- http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CDAQFjADahUKEwi7kM7erJXJAhVCHT4KHTVKC18&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.esc18.net%2Fcms%2Flib%2FTX07001387%2FCentricity%2FDomain%2F91%2FFace%2520to%2520Face%2520Blitz%2520Round%25202%25203-5%2520Presentation.pptx&usg=AFQjCNEyfrE-xogBbvrtPX0EeLjbYDXUhA&sig2=C2fsZb3pgqQiZQmuw8eLEw
- https://prezi.com/boo6h1wgswx7/copy-of-figuring-out-figure-19/
- http://www.readingrockets.org/strategies/summarizing
Santa Is Coming to Texas by Steve Smallman
It's Christmas Eve, Have you been good? Santa's packed up all the presents and is headed your way! With the help of a certain red-nosed reindeer, Santa flies over:
•Texas State Capitol, Austin
•Alamo Mission, San Antonio
•Reunion Tower, Dallas
•Space Center, Houston
•Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Dallas
•Moody Gardens Pyramids, Galveston
•San Antonio Riverwalk
•San Jacinto Monument
•San Fernando Cathedral, San Antonio
•Fort Worth Stockyards
•Big Texan, Amarillo
"Ho, ho ho!" laughs Santa. "Merry Christmas, Texas!"
Age Range- 4-8 Years
The Homeless Christmas Tree by Leslie Gordon
“Of what use is one ugly little tree?”
Atop a windswept hill, a crooked little tree stands alone . . . until one Christmas Eve, when an old woman labors up the hill with a box of ornaments, and tells the tree that he is special. He is to be the official Christmas tree for all of the homeless people in the city below!
Year after year, colored balls and garland adorn the tree at Christmastime, but one year, the woman does not come. Will there be a Christmas for homeless? This story is based on actual events about a funny-looking mimosa tree that sits above a busy freeway in Fort Worth, Texas. A formerly homeless woman decorated the tree, year after year, so that the homeless would have a Christmas tree. When she died, neighbors took over the custom and now decorate it for Easter, Halloween, and other holidays as well. It can be seen on the north side of Interstate 30 near the Oakland exit.
Age Range: 4-8 years
When you Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
This remarkable novel holds a fantastic puzzle at its heart.
By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate their New York City neighborhood. They know where it's safe to go, and they know who to avoid. Like the crazy guy on the corner.
But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a kid on the street for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life. The apartment key that Miranda's mom keeps hidden for emergencies is stolen. And then a mysterious note arrives, scrawled on a tiny slip of paper. The notes keep coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows things no one should know. Each message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she's too late.
Age Range: 9-12 Years
Conferring in Reader's & Writer's Workhsop
During independent reading and writing time, CISD teachers are expected to sit and conference with their students. This independent time is the perfect time to confer with your students in both areas to build their knowledge and differentiate the learning.
I know this is a review, but this time of year we are all tired and ready for a long break. Remember, this part of your workshop lessons is the MOST IMPORTANT.
Different Types of Conferences:
- Compliment Conference- compliment student for something specific you notice about their work.
- Table Conference- Think: Who is doing what I want them already to be doing and make it a big deal. OR You can repeat the mini-lesson from the day with the table.
- Research-Only Conference- What is the student doing? Teacher watches for different behaviors.
- Small-Group Conference- 2-5 students working with you on a strategy. You can practice skills in their book or writing piece.
Conference structure:
1. Research: What the student is doing?
2. What can I compliment?
3. What can I teach?
4. Ask students after teaching...What are you going to do now? (They should apply what you taught and keep working.)
Record Keeping;
- This is the most important part of your conference.
- Informs you of your next teaching points to address with the whole class, a small group, or with the student again.
- Helps with parent conferences.
- Helps with K-2 standards based reporting.
- Helps push the students to the next level in their work.
- Keeps kids accountable for what you have already taught them and allows you to follow up with them on the strategy or skill.
You must find a record keeping system that fits your needs, and you are able to manage. There are a few different apps or paper versions of conference notes. Conferring with readers and writers is the most important piece to the workshop, but also the most difficult. Be confident when you sit with the student and teach them only ONE thing for every conference.
Please feel free to contact me if you need any help with conferring in reading and/or writing. This is my favorite part of the workshop!
Helpful Videos on Summarizing & Conferring
Meredith Davis
K-6 ELA & SS
Curriculum Coordinator
Email: meredith.davis@southlakecarroll.edu
Website: www.southlakecarroll.edu
Location: 2400 N Carroll Ave, Southlake, TX, United States
Phone: 817.949.8247
Twitter: @carrollcurric